PACKAGE OF PRACTICES FOR CABBAGE

CULTIVATION IN CHURACHANDPUR
DISTRICT

KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA

CHURACHANDPUR,
ICAR RESEARCH COMPLEX FOR NEH REGION,
MANIPUR CENTRE
 Cabbage is a typical cool season crop grown for the thickened main bud called
head. It is one of the most popular and widely grown vegetables in the region and has
occupied second position in production after potato. It is a rich source of vitamin A, C
and mineral including potassium, calciu m, sodium and iron
Varieties:
Green Express, Pusa Ageti, Pride of India, Green Challenger, Green Hero, Rare Ball
Soil and Climate
For early crop light soils are best
whereas for late crop heavy soils are
preferred. The optimum soil pH is 6.0 to
6.5.
It requires cool and moist climate. In
lower hills of Meghalaya, cabbage is
grown mainly in winter season
(October-January), while in higher hills
it is grown in both rainy and winter
seasons. In mid hills, cabbage can be
grown almost throughout the year.
Field preparation
For preparation of field, soil is ploughed 2-3 times with power tiller or with
spade. Planking is done during the last ploughing to make friable soil bed for
transplanting. Raised beds of 1 m width, 4-5 m length and 30 cm above the soil are
prepared.
Seed Rate
Early season: 500g/ha, Mid & late season: 400g/ha
Time of Sowing
Early season: Mid June to July,
Mid season: Mid August to September, Late season: October - November
Nursery Raising
The nursery bed should be thoroughly prepared by adding well rotten FYM or
compost @ 4kg/m2. Before sowing, the seeds should be treated with Captan or
Thiram@ 2.Sg/kg seeds to get rid of fungal diseases. The seeds are sown at a spacing of
2-3 cm between seeds and 8-10 cm between lines. The depth of sowing is l-l.5cm. After
sowing, the seeds are covered with a mixture of fine soil and sieved FYM. After this, a
light irrigation is provided with a water can. The nursery bed should be kept weed free.
Transplanting
5-6 week old seedlings with 4-6 leaves should be transplanted. Transplanting should be
done in the evening. Immediately after transplanting, irrigation should be provided.
Spacing
Early season: 45 x 45cm, Mid and Late season: 60 x 45cm
Manure and fertilizers
FYM or compost @ 15 to 20 tonnes/ha is incorporated in the soil during land
preparation. Besides FYM, N: P: K @ 120:60:60 kg/ha is applied. Full amount of
phosphorus and potash along with half amount of nitrogen is applied at the time of
transplanting. Remaining amount of nitrogen is applied in two split doses i.e. 30 and 45
days after transplanting as top dressing.
Weeding and earthing up
During the whole crop duration two to three weedings are sufficient to control the
weeds followed by earthing up.

Plant protection measures

Cutworms: The caterpillars are 3 to 4 cm long, gray or brown to almost black with
various markings. They hide in daytime and feed at night. They cause damage by biting
the foliage and by cutting down the young seedlings just above the ground level.
Management:
1. Picking and destruction of the larvae at the early stage of the crop.
2. Growing of paired rows of mustard after every 25 rows of the crop.
3. Application of the heavily infested crop with Furadan
Diamond backmoth
Management:
 Grow mustard as intercrop as 20:1 ratio to attract diamond back moths for
oviposition. Periodically spray the mustard crop with insecticide to avoid the
dispersal of the larvae.
 Install pheromone traps at 12 Nos/ha.
 Spray Cartap hydrochloride 1 g/lit or Bacillus thuringiensis 2 g/lit at primordial stage
(ETL 2 larvae/plant)
 Spray NSKE 5 % after primordial stage.
 Release parasite Diadegma semiclausum at 50,000/ha, 60 days after planting.
Aphids
Management:
 Install yellow sticky trap @12 no/ha to monitor “macropterous” adults (winged

adult).
 Spray neem oil 3 % with 0.5 ml Teepol/lit or any one of the following insecticide

Leaf Webber: The leaves are skeletonised by the larvae, which remain on the under
surface of leaves in webs and feed on them. They also attack flower buds and pods. The
insect commonly sucks early grown crop.
Control:
 Picking and destruction of the larvae at the early stage of the crop.

 The crop should be sprayed with Cyfluthrin@ 0.5mlll of water.

Damping off: It is a serious disease in the nursery. In severe conditions, the affected
seedlings droop and fall off due to infection at the collar region. Seed treatment with
Thiram or Captan @ 2.5-3 g/kg of seed.The seedlings should be treated with
Hexaconazole 5% + Captan 70% WP or Metalaxyl-M + 640 g/kg Mancozeb @ 2g/l of
water.
Black rot: First signs of the disease often appear along the margins of leaves as
chlorotic regions and the chlorosis progresses in the direction of the mid rib forming a V
shaped area. Symptoms may appear from any side and centre of the leaves. The bacteria
are transmitted through seeds.
Harvesting and yield
Harvesting is done when the heads are well developed and firm. The heads are cut with
a knife, preferably attached with some wrapper leaves. A good crop may yield 250-300

Prepared and Compiled By:

Dr. R K Roshan, SMS (Hort.)
Dr. W. Rajen, ACTO (Animal Sc.)
Mr. L. Basil, Farm Manager
Mr. L. Somendro , ACTO (Soil Sc.)
Dr. Niranjan Lal, Head & Senior Scientist.